Changing Agricultural Landscape of Southern Louisiana - Research Paper Example

Changing Agricultural Landscape of Southern Louisiana Changing Agricultural Landscape of Southern Louisiana Introduction This research paper is aimed at analyzing the changes that can be made to the agricultural landscape of southern Louisiana. Louisiana is a section or one of the states of U.S.A. located between Mississippi and Texas and in the southern part of Arkansas. The population of Louisiana is comprised of different cultures since the origin of its citizen come from different locations, Africa, Spain and France. This came to being in the 18th century because of slavery and colonization (Avise, 2000). The availability of these different cultures in Louisiana facilitates the diverse cultural values and practices as well as mixed cultures due to intermarriage and interrelations. It had been colonized by France and Spain and became the 18th state to be part of the United States of America. The recognition of Louisiana is based on its diverse culture, fishing and agricultural economical status and by the Cajun culture. However, flooding and hurricanes acts as the natural threats that affect Louisiana in its quest for development and growth (Conant & Collins, 1998). The climate of Louisiana is relatively humid and is semitropical. The humidity and degree of rainfall decrease with the increase in variations of temperature as one move away from the Mexican Gulf. The main aim of agricultural involvement is the production of food and the realization of the benefits of other aspects since they also play a part in the development and growth of a state or country (Goins & Caldwell, 2005). The developed countries are mostly affected by the need to involve in agricultural activities and still keep their landscapes and their habitats intact. Approximately 40% of the grain exports that are realized in the United States of America are transported via Louisiana (Avise, 2000). The production of eggs and broilers is very high in the Louisianans’ state and is regarded as the largest form of animal industry. The production of menhaden, alligators, oyster, shrimp and crawfish is ranked first and is from Louisiana in the nation. This marks a 25 percent mark in the production of fish industry. Louisiana consists of approximately 14 million acres of land comprised of different forms of forests. Soybeans, sugarcane, corn, rice and livestock farming are part of the agricultural involvement of the population of Louisiana (Avise, 2000). Louisiana is ranked in the third position in rice production. In addition, Louisiana is the only source of Tabasco pepper. Theoretical Framework Being among the southern states, Louisiana is, therefore, one of the states that benefited immensely from the free/cheap labor provided by the slaves, before emancipation. Like then, agriculture is the backbone of the southern state’s economy, with the exception that the cost of labor has become dearer. Although the agricultural sector has continued to deliver in Louisiana, the dearer cost of labor increases the cost of production, ensuring that farmers earn little than they would, from their produce. These, impaired earnings are largely attributable to the maintenance, by the state, of the slavery form of agriculture. In so doing, farmers still employ large number of laborers on their farms, with the hope that they would finish the tasks faster. The farmers need to change this approach and adopt more cost effective methods of production, so as to maximize returns. The need for this change, as well as change in the forms of crops that should be cultivated in this region, will be the lead of this study. Research Hypothesis Louisiana is among the most bountiful agricultural producers in the USA. Its methods of production have, however, remained unchanged through generations. This research seeks to demonstrate that agricultural production in this southern state would increase immensely, if the farming and production methods and certain crops are changed to incorporate modern technology (H0). An alternative hypothesis (HA), however, assumes that no improvements in production can be achieved as a result of these interventions. Literature Review The southern part of Louisiana is characterized by different agricultural practices and economical gains connected to agriculture. In this research paper, an analysis will be made on the reduction of the fowlers’ toad that is an endangered species in southern Louisiana. The recent world environmental and ecological changes have caused threats and degradation to natural habitats of different species (Dugan, 2004). The decline in the levels of biodiversity in all parts of the world is an alarming aspect that has brought concerns in the hearts of legislators, scientists and resource managers. The availability of resources to cater for the endangered species has been put in place in the southern part of Louisiana and other parts of the world to facilitate safety of the species. However, this has not been satisfactory because the level and number of the species have continually been declining because of the human involvement in their natural habitats. The increase in disruption and human involvement in the natural habitats is prevailing leading to the reduction of species. A recent research on the effects of human involvement in the ecological regions of amphibians has caused a reduction in their breeding and number. This research has been conducted worldwide and has been proven correct in all areas. The results of these researches have triggered concern among different scientists, legislators and research managers in trying to find out the causes of this and their relative remedies (Gaston, 2003). However, the realization of how the human effects cause decreasing levels and numbers of these amphibians is a relatively high task that needs careful analysis and research. Amphibians are part of the ecosystem in the sense that they are predators as well as prey to other species meaning that their decrease would lead to a similar level of effect on other organisms (Dugan, P. (2004). Different research practitioners and scientists have conducted research on the causes of the decline in the levels and numbers of the amphibians and have come up with various conclusions. Overharvesting, fragmentation, destruction of habitats and introduction of species that are not native are some of the conclusions drawn by some of the scholars and scientists and termed them as effects caused by biodiversity (Gaston, 2003). Amphibians are commonly affected by changes in climate, pathogens, ultraviolet radiations, and pollution of agricultural areas and regions. The invasion of the natural habitats and breeding activity and areas of the amphibians are triggered by the increased population and ignorance. The research conducted by various scientists and scholars indicate that the logistic and practical reasons on the species have been the main cause of the decrease in number and breeding levels of the amphibians. There exists few categories of amphibians but the number of times that research has been conducted on the different species by different scientists and research practitioners is immense (Dugan, 2004). The increase in disruption and human involvement in the natural habitats is prevailing leading to the reduction of species. A recent research on the effects of human involvement in the ecological regions of amphibians has caused a reduction in their breeding and number. This research has been conducted worldwide and has been proven correct in all areas. The results of these researches have triggered concern among different scientists, legislators and research managers in trying to find out the causes of this and their relative remedies (Goins & Caldwell, 2005). Louisiana is a section or one of the states of U.S.A. located between Mississippi and Texas and in the southern part of Arkansas. The population of Louisiana is comprised of different cultures since the origin of its citizen come from different locations, Africa, Spain and France. This came to being in the 18th century because of slavery and colonization. In this research paper, an analysis will be made on the reduction of the fowlers’ toad that is an endangered species in southern Louisiana. The recent world environmental and ecological changes have caused threats and degradation to natural habitats of different species. The availability of resources to cater for the endangered species has been put in place in the southern part of Louisiana and other parts of the world to facilitate safety of the species (Dugan, 2004). However, this has not been satisfactory because the level and number of the species have continually been declining because of the human involvement in their natural habitats. The boundaries that are realized and experienced by different species are usually spatially changeable and temporary. They usually adjust easily but make minimal changes, contract or expand, depending on the environmental changes and the availability of parasites and competitors. The anthropogenic modification and destruction of the natural habitats hold back the natural protocol experienced by these species thus influencing the development, breeding and wellbeing of the species (Goins & Caldwell, 2005). Alteration of the natural habitats of the different species can lead to the extinction of species that are rarely found. This is a negative effect and impact to the natural cycle and dependency since there is various interdependency among different types of species. The results of these researches have triggered concern among different scientists, legislators and research managers in trying to find out the causes of this and their relative remedies. Louisiana is a section or one of the states of U.S.A. located between Mississippi and Texas and in the southern part of Arkansas (Dugan, P. (2004). Different research practitioners and scientists have conducted research on the causes of the decline in the levels and numbers of the amphibians and have come up with various conclusions. Overharvesting, fragmentation, destruction of habitats and introduction of species that are not native are some of the conclusions drawn by some of the scholars and scientists and termed them as effects caused by biodiversity. The recent world environmental and ecological changes have caused threats and degradation to natural habitats of different species (Gaston, 2003). The distortion of the natural areas and structures because of the human effects disrupts the natural practice and tradition of species. The species that migrate from one location to the other, butterflies and fish, are affected due to the changes brought about by humankind in their original way of life and existence. The encroachment of their resources and paths of migration or the changes of seasons and climate because of the change bring this about in the ecological systems and ozone layer. The fragmentation caused by these disorders on natural resources and habitats causes depression in the breeding and genetic variations (Goins & Caldwell, 2005). Different research practitioners and scientists have conducted research on the causes of the decline in the levels and numbers of the amphibians and have come up with various conclusions. A recent research on the effects of human involvement in the ecological regions of amphibians has caused a reduction in their breeding and number. This research has been conducted worldwide and has been proven correct in all areas (Goins & Caldwell, 2005). The results of these researches have triggered concern among different scientists, legislators and research managers in trying to find out the causes of this and their relative remedies. In this research paper, an analysis will be made on the reduction of the different natural species that are endangered in southern Louisiana (Avise, 2000). The recent world environmental and ecological changes have caused threats and degradation to natural habitats of different species. The climate of Louisiana is relatively humid and is semitropical. The humidity and degree of rainfall decrease with the increase in variations of temperature as one move away from the Mexican Gulf. The recognition of Louisiana is based on its diverse culture, fishing and agricultural economical status and by the Cajun culture. However, flooding and hurricanes acts as the natural threats that affect Louisiana in its quest for development and growth. The population of Louisiana is comprised of different cultures since the origin of its citizen come from different locations, Africa, Spain and France. This came to being in the 18th century because of slavery and colonization (Dugan, 2004). From what has been gathered by the various research practitioners and scientists on the effects of humanity on the ecological systems and natural habitats, it is evident that the natural growth and development of species is largely affected. These effects are negative and there is need to improve and adjust on the ways in which the human beings relate and connect with the natural habitats. The destructions caused on the landscapes of Louisiana should be stopped and the need for development of these areas into homes, towns and factories stopped (Avise, 2000). The water pollution of rivers and water catchment areas should be analyzed and ways of stopping this developed and put into practice to facilitate efficiency in the breeding and production of the natural species. They usually adjust easily but make minimal changes, contract or expand, depending on the environmental changes and the availability of parasites and competitors (Conant & Collins, 1998). The anthropogenic modification and destruction of the natural habitats hold back the natural protocol experienced by these species thus influencing the development, breeding and wellbeing of the species. Alteration of the natural habitats of the different species can lead to the extinction of species that are rarely found. The species that migrate from one location to the other, butterflies and fish, are affected due to the changes brought about by humankind in their original way of life and existence. The encroachment of their resources and paths of migration or the changes of seasons and climate because of the change bring this about in the ecological systems and ozone layer. The results of these researches have triggered concern among different scientists, legislators and research managers in trying to find out the causes of this and their relative remedies (Conant & Collins, 1998). These effects are negative and there is need to improve and adjust on the ways in which the human beings relate and connect with the natural habitats. Conceptual Framework Independent Interventional Dependent Variables Variable Variables The independent variables here represent the challenges that the Agricultural sector in southern Louisiana currently faces, while the dependent variables represent the results of intervention to these challenges. These projected benefits of intervening in to the agricultural production approach in southern Louisiana inspired, and directed this study. Data Analysis This research was conducted as a form of survey, gathering the views of up to 500 farmers from the state, using questionnaires, on whether improving production methods and cutting production costs would be sufficient to improve the agricultural productivity of the state, and maximize returns for the farmers. Of the 500 selected to participate in the survey, only 458 recorded their responses, making up 91.6% responses out of the total participants. Number Percentage (%) Responses 458 91.6 Non-Responses 42 8.4 Total 500 100 This can be presented in a chart for ease of analysis, as in the graph below. Of those who offered their responses, 324 responded positively while 134 farmers responded negatively making up 70.74% and 29.26% of the responses respectively. Number Percentage (%) Positive Responses 324 70.24 Negative Responses 134 29.26 Total 458 100 This can be presented in a chart for ease of analysis, as in the graph below. A hugely representative percentage of the randomly selected target population (91.6%) participated in this survey. Of the participants, an overwhelming majority (70.74%) believed that improving production methods and crops would improve agricultural productivity in southern Louisiana; thus, increasing its profitability to farmers. Conclusion Louisiana is a section or one of the states of U.S.A. located between Mississippi and Texas and in the southern part of Arkansas. The population of Louisiana is comprised of different cultures since the origin of its citizen come from different locations, Africa, Spain and France. This came to being in the 18th century because of slavery and colonization. The destructions caused on the landscapes of Louisiana should be stopped and the need for development of these areas into homes, towns and factories stopped (Conant & Collins, 1998). The water pollution of rivers and water catchment areas should be analyzed and ways of stopping this developed and put into practice to facilitate efficiency in the breeding and production of the natural species. On the other hand, the agricultural land should be conserved and agricultural production methods improved to help reduce the cost of production hence, maximizing returns for the farmers. This is according to the findings of this survey. However, the survey restricted the respondent, farmers in southern Louisiana, to only one general question, without considering the finer aspects of agriculture in the area, and the other factors that came in to play. As such, future research should consider the agricultural situation in the state more in depth, in order to formulate most appropriate recommendations ad formulation of policies. References Avise, J. C. (2000). Phylogeography. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Conant, R. & Collins. J. T. (1998). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: Eastern/Central North America. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. Dugan, P. (2004). Wetlands in Danger: A World Conservation Atlas. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Gaston, K. J. (2003). The structure and dynamics of geographic ranges. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Goins, C.R. & Caldwell, J.M. (2005). Historical atlas of Louisiana. 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